Tijuana Flats: “Where Hot is the New Cool”
By Katie Moosbrugger
I am a huge fan of anything spicy or from south of the border. So when I saw Tijuana Flats, a Tex-Mex restaurant had opened in Winston-Salem, I was one of the first to pop in and I’ve been back many, many times.
Then entire restaurant makes me happy – from the friendly person who greets me at the door to the attentive staff who checks on our table. The outrageous wall murals and décor make me smile, the savory smells lift my spirits, and the off-beat culture makes me chuckle. They use slogans like, “embrace the strange and unexplained,” and also promise to never “serve you garbage…or treat you like trash.”
And then there’s the menu. Tijuana Flats is the type of restaurant where you order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. The menu is simple but offers a lot of variety. You can expect the basics (like tacos, burritos, salads, quesadillas, nachos, etc) as well as add-ons, sides, sauces and select dishes off their special Flat Outrageous menu.
Every meal (ranging in price from $6 to $9) is made to order using the freshest ingredients that are prepped the same day you get to enjoy them. Even their chips, tortillas, queso, guac and salsa are made from scratch. Plus, Tijuana Flats never uses microwaves, freezers or canned food items. They offer vegetarian, lard-free beans, hormone-free chicken and steak, and zero trans-fat cooking oil. Tijuana Flats also features a huge sauce bar (for those who like it hot) featuring their own “Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally” branded line of sauces.
To top off your meal, I highly recommend trying either their Churros (lightly fried and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon) and/or their Cookie Dough Flautas (chocolate chip cookie dough loaded in a flour tortilla, lightly fried, topped with powdered sugar, and served with a side of chocolate syrup. OMG.
Oh, and did I mention they also serve beer? Nothing less than Corona and Modelo products, of course!
My kids love Tijuna Flats too. The restaurant offers a Lil’ Lizards menu featuring five different Mexican dishes (around $5 each) that come with chips, unsweetened applesauce or candy, a soft drink or apple juice. Not to mention, every Sunday in Winston-Salem, kids under 12 eat FREE of the Lil’ Lizards menu with the purchase of an adult entrée (one child per adult entrée).
There are other promos that moms and dads (and older kids) would like too. Tijuana Tuesdaze offers two tacos, chips and a drink for just $5.49. Then there is Throwback Thursdays where you can get a Tijuana burrito, chips, and a drink for $5.99. Add on steak or carnitas for just $1 extra!
Started by a young guy out of college who asked his dad for a loan to get started (Moms, insert your eye rolls here), Tijuana Flats started with a few restaurants in and around Orlando and Tampa, and has now grown to serve locations throughout the southeast as well as in Pennsylvania and Indiana.
One of the coolest things Tijuana Flats operates is its “Just In Queso Foundation.” The Foundation mainly (but not exclusively) supports children and our brave military in times of need. “Just In Queso Foundation” is central to Tijuana Flats which always stands “ready to provide a helping hand when needed.”
This summer – and frankly all yearlong – I encourage you and your family to give Tijuana Flats a try. It’s the perfect atmosphere for families with kids of all ages. It can also make a fun – and very affordable – date night!
*Sponsored by Tijuana Flats
I’ve eaten at one and likes the food. The salsa names are not the best though if you have young children who can read.
Our office loves to order from TF….we can order in line and everything is ready for pick-up on time.
Can’t wait to try it out! Sounds delicious!
Their queso is amazing and their staff is super friendly! All of my girls like to eat there. We love their food! ❤️
The last time I went, my 3 year old stoleallmy queso. Such good food with fresh ingredients.
I haven’t been before but would love to try the sauce bar and the queso!!
We love all the crazy decor. My 4 year old loves looking at and talking about the deacon mural everytime we go. Plus the food cannot be beat. It’s always delicious!
The nachos here are AMAZING! For $6.79 you literally get SO many nachos with loaded toppings. I normally have to get a to-go box because I can’t finish them! Some of the best nachos I have ever had!!
Such a fun, friendly and YUMMY place! We love Taco Tuesday! With a family of 5, it’s great to find a place that makes all the kids and parents happy! Oh, and their queso is amazing!!!
Now I want to go there tonight!!! I love TexMex and the story behind TF makes me want to support it! Heading to talk my hubby into it now!!
Yum! Tostadas and tacos are delicious! Employees are always friendly and helpful.
I’ve never been there, but would love to try it! Hope to take the family soon!
My family loves the churros! So yummy!
Havent ate there before but id like to try it.
Love to try new places! My husband will love the sauce bar and that cookie dough flautas sounds delish.
The churns are so delicious. Usually too full from the tacos to fully enjoy though 😀
Oh my goodness. This sounds amazing!!! I can’t wait to sample their yummy food and sip on a Corona, of course. Thanks for the detailed review. ????
I have not had TF since we moved from Florida and am happy to hear we now have one in the area!
Their guacamole is the best. And when you order the appetizer portion, it’s free refills!
I’ve never been to the restaurant, but TF caterered a meal for my school this year and it was delicious! I’d love to take my kids there and see what else is on the menu!